Display device



INVENTORS.

June 6, 1961 c, L R ETAL 2,987,192

DISPLAY DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 29, 1960 WLL/HM E HELM 5 U 03 M a BY Z flrraelvsys.

l m a June 6, 1961 Y c. 1.. METZLER ETAL 2,987,192

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Feb. 29, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 62/9/6455 L. METZLEQCIbH/V D- WEE W/LL/HM E HELM INVENTORS mw n United States Patent O2,987,192 DISPLAY DEVICE Charles L. Metzler, Alpine, NJ and John D.Wark, Freeport, and William F. Helm, New York, N.Y., assignors to PaperMate Manufacturing Company, Culver City, Calif., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Feb. 29, 1960, Ser. No. 11,913 12 Claims. (Cl. 2114) Thisinvention relates to a device for displaying articles in substantiallyuncovered, completely visible condition, and in particular a displaydevice capable of selectively placing the articles so displayed inremovable and non-removable conditions from the device.

In selling products or articles, it is advantageous to to display themin prominent locations so that they will be readily accessible andeasily seen. With relatively small articles, such as pens and pencils,the top. of a counter or table is an ideal location for prominentlyexhibiting the articles and at the same time is a convenient locationfor salesmen or persons exhibiting the articles. The present displaydevice is primarily adapted to be placed on the top of such a counter ortable and to display elongated articles such as pens and pencils.However, it is contemplated that the present invention may be used fordisplay devices adapted to rest on the floor or in other locations andthat various articles other than pens and pencils may be displayed.

When relatively small articles, such as pens, are prominently displayedin easily accessible locations to the purchasing public, it has beenfound desirable to display these articles so that only authorizedpersons, such as salesmen, may permit the pens to be removed from thedisplay devices. Such display devices should be pilfer-proof. Due to thecontinuous handling of the prominently displayed articles, it has alsobeen found desirable to provide article-holding means for automaticallyorienting the articles so that the front of each article will beconstantly displayed despite the manner or position in which the articleis initially inserted into the article-holding means. The presentinvention provides automatic means whereby any elongated article havinga laterally projecting part in the upper portion of its length (such asa clip carried by a ball point pen or a pencil) will be automaticallygravitationally oriented in the display device, thereby permitting sucharticles to be displayed in an orderly, side-by-side relation andautomatically return to such oriented position after being moved,handled or temporarily displaced from such orderly array.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel device fordisplaying articles.

Another object is to provide a device for primarily displaying elongatedarticles, such as pens, the device being capable of performing all ofthe desirable functions stated hereinabove.

Another object is to provide a device for displaying articles and forplacing the articles so displayed selectively in removable andnon-removable positions from the device.

An object is to provide a display device for articles whereby thearticles are displayed in an uncovered but pilfer-proof condition andmay only be removed by adjusting the device to a discharge position.

Afurther object is to provide a novel article-receiving and holdingmeans for automatically orienting an article adapted to be held therebyregardless of the position in which the article is initially insertedinto the holding means.

Still another object is to provide a device for displaying articles,which is economically produced, easily assembled and is extremelyattractive in appearance.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily apparentfrom the following description when considered in connection with theappended drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of an exemplary device of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the device taken along plane IIII ofFIG. 1 with the pens in a non-removable, display position;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged vertical section of the device of FIG.1, similar to FIG. 2 but with the pens in a removable, dischargeposition;

FIG. 4 is a transverse section of the device taken along plane IV-IV ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a transverse section of the device taken along plane V-V ofFIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, vertical section of the device taken along planeVI-VI of FIG. 1.

As shown in the drawings, the exemplary display device 10 is illustratedfor displaying elongated articles such as pens in a substantiallyuncovered condition, although it is understood that other articles mayalso be exhibited by a device of the present invention.

The device 10 may have a supporting frame including horizontally spaced,vertically extending side members 11 and 11' rigidly connected togetherby vertically spaced, horizontal top member 12 and horizontal bottommember 13. The sides, top and bottom members are joined together by anysuitable means and provide an open central area 14 for receiving anynumber of horizontal, longitudinally extending racks 20 for holding anddisplaying the pens. A base member 15 may be provided for supporting theframe and may include legs or may be legless, as shown.

A plurality of horizontal racks 20 are provided within the supportingframe in parallel, vertically spaced rela-" tion and are pivotallymounted on said frame about horizontal axes. the details of only onerack will be described.

A rack 20 is open-faced and may include a horizontally extending,substantially vertical back panel 21 having rearwardly extending sideflanges 22 and 22' at its ends. The rack is of sufiicient length to bepositioned between the side members 11 and 11' of the supporting frame.Butt shafts or pivot pins 23 and 23' may be provided on the side flanges22 and 22', respectively, and are pivotally receivable in horizontallyaligned openings on the inner surface of the side members 11 and 11,respectively, for pivotally mounting the rack 20 on the supportingframe. A single shaft may also be used for pivotally carrying a rack 20on the frame.

The back panel 21 of a rack 20 is provided with a lowerforwardly-extending foot portion 24 and an opposing upper, unobstructededge portion 25. The rear side of the back panel 21 may be provided witha substantially horizontal ledge or lip 26 having a straight,horizontally extending slot 27 therethrough.

Each rack 20 is provided with means 30 for receiving and holding aplurality of articles in vertically parallel side-by-side relation infront of the panel 21. Such article-receiving and holding means 30 maycomprise a strip or member 31 (preferably of transparent material suchas styrene or methacrylic resinous plastic) provided with a plurality ofsubstantially parallel article-receiving passageways 32 having verticalaxes. The marginal portions 33 surrounding the upper end of eachpassageway are forwardly and downwardly inclined to form a guidingsurface adapted to engage a portion of an article being displayed andorient the article. Most writing instruments carry a clip, and while thebody of such instrument is slidably received in a passageway 32, the endof a clip will contact incline 33 and regardless of the As each rack 20is preferably identical,"

manner in which the pens are placed and received in the passageways 32,the clips of the pens will be guided into a uniform position with theclip facing the front of the device. This eliminates constant attentionby a salesman or the like in maintaining the pens in a position with allof the clips facing frontward. The holding members 39 and the footportion 24 on each rack cooperate to prevent withdrawal of an articletoward the foot portion 24. Articles are therefore only capable of beingwithdrawn from the members 30 upwardly toward the unobstructed edgeportion 25.

The front surface of the back panel 21 of eachrack may also be providedwith a pocket '34 for receiving and holding related attachments for thearticles to be displayed, such as packages of ink refills or cartridgesfor ball-point pens. p 7

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the racks 20, are vertically spaced andpivotally carried on the supporting frame so that the pens are adaptedto be moved between a non-removable, display position (FIG. 2) and aremovable discharge position (FIG. 3). In the display position (FIG. 2)the racks 20 are carried on the supporting frame so that the upperunobstructed longitudinal edge of a lower rack is in proximity toandbelow the forwardly extending foot portion 24 of'an upper rack. Thepens are therefore obstructed or prevented by the foot portion 24 of anupper rack from being withdrawn from a lower rack. The uppermost rack 20is pivotally carried by the frame so that its upper unobstructed edge 25is in proximity to and below the horizontal top member 12 in the displayposition.

-It is therefore seen that the foot portion 24 of each rack 20 and thehorizontal top member 12 actually constitute horizontal stop memberscarried by the supporting frame for obstructing and preventing theremoval of articles from racks when they are in the display posi tion.Such stop members are so spaced from the holding and orienting means soas to permit a customer to touch, finger and move the writing instrumentvertically and about its axis, but such movement is limited by the stopto prevent complete withdrawal, removal or pilfer-j rng.

Any suitable means may be provided for selectively moving the racks fromthe display position to a discharge position (FIG. 3) wherein the racks20 are shown to have been pivoted about their pivotal axes a sufficientdistance so that the receiving and holding means 30 are in such positionwith relationship to the stop members to permit axial, upward removal ofthe articles. As seen in FIG. 3, the upper, unobstructed edge 25 of alower rack 20 has been moved forwardly of the foot portion 24 of anupper rack to allow a pen to be moved from engagement with the holdingmember 31 to a position above the member 31 as shown by the phantomoutline. It is understood that in the discharge'positio'n, the upper,unobstructed edge 25 of the uppermost rack' 20 has also been movedrelatively to the horizontal stop and top member 12 to allow a pen to beremoved from the uppermost rack.

' In one of its broadest concepts, the present invention includes aselectively operable means for selectively changing therelativepositions of the stop members and the upper longitudinal edgeportions 25 of the racks between the display position and the dischargeposition, permitting removal of the articles or pens from the racks.Moreover, such selectively operable means may lock the racks in theselected display or discharge positions." A' preferred simple form ofsuch means comprises an elongated substantially vertical actuating rod40 pivotally mounted between the top frame member 12 and bottom framemember 13 The upperend 40a'of the rod 40i may be received within arecess 41 in the top member IZ'a'n'd firmly but rotatably held thereinby a ferrule 42'. The lower end 4% of the rod 40 is received in a"recess 43 in the bottom frame member 13 and-may rest upon a coiledspring 44 mounted within the recess 43 for allowing the rod 40 to beeasily assembled within the recesses 41 and 43. An actuating bar orhandle 45 may be provided. on the rod 4% for rotating the rod andholding it in partly rotated position.

The lip of ferrule 42 maybe provided with radial recesses 48, suchrecesses receiving handle 45 under the biasing influence of spring 44.The rod 40 may be inclined to the vertical and in the display positionof the racks may be substantially parallel to the back panels 21 of theracks.

Means are provided to translate rotational movement of the rod 40 intopivotal movement of the racks between display and discharge positions.Such means may include a forwardly-extending lever arm 46 carried by rod40 for each rack 20, each arm having an upwardly-extending finger 47adapted to be movably received in and cooperate with the slot 27 in theledge 26 on the rear of each rack 20. When the racks are in the displayposition the fingers 47 are positioned substantially in the center ofthe slots 27 (dash line position in FIG. 5) and in the dischargeposition the fingers 47 are adapted to be rotated to and limited inmovement by either end of the slots 27 (FIG. 5 thus pivoting the racksabout their horizontal pivotal axes and drawing the foot portions 24toward the rod 40. It is to be noted that when in display position thelever arms 46 are on dead center; a customer (or prospective pilferer)cannot cause relative movement between the rack and its stop by applyingpressure to the rack.

The recesses 48 in the lip of ferrule 42 are angularly related to theangles assumed by levers 46 at the ends of their travel and in the dashline or display position; when the handle 45 is in the recesscorresponding to the dash line or display position, a poaeher cannotapply force to a rack and cause it to pivot into a position permittingthe poacher to remove an article from the rack.

. A salesperson, however, can readily apply downward and rotationalforce to handle 45, overcome the bias of spring 44, rotate rod 40 andpivot the racks into articledischarging position.

A panel 51 for advertising matter may be provided on the supportingframe and secured thereto by any well known means. A reserve supplycontainer 52 may also be provided on the bottom member 13 behind theracks 20.

It is thus seen that the display device 10 allows a V plurality of pensor other articles to be displayed (FIG.

2) in an uncovered condition without the possibility of the articlesbeing removed until they are moved toa discharge position (-FIG. 3). Theactuating rod 40 is only accessible from the rear of the device and isconcealed from the open face of the rack thereby preventing purchasersor unauthorized persons from removing the pens from the racks untilpermitted to do so by the racks being moved to the discharge position.This is quickly and easily performed by the turning of the rod 40 caus-1 ing the fingers 47 to pivot the racks 20 about their pivotal axes,resulting in relative movement between the lower foot portion 24 of anupper rack and the unobstructed upper edge 25 of a lower rack. Pens aretherefore removable from the racks by a person standing in front of thedevice. Regardless of how the pens are plastics which are easily,moldable.

inserted into the article-holding means30, the pens are self-oriented sothat the clips face toward the front. It is contemplated that the framemembers and racks may be made of relatively inexpensive material, suchas In addition, it is preferred, that the article-holding meansx30-betransparent so that the full outline of the pens; or articles may beseen. The material used for the device may be colored to present anattractive and pleasing display. The device of the presentv invention'is susceptible of many modifications. The upper, unobstructeded'geportion'25 may be in th mes plane arms main portion of back panel 21;although the lower portion of the back panel is preferably provided witha forwardly extending foot portion 24 (thereby precluding any attempt toremove a writing instrument in a downward direction) such lower portionneed not have the downwardly extending front-facing strip (ordinarilyused for advertising material) and instead include a longitudinal,rearwardly extending stop-foot which may be in a plane parallel to ledgeor lip 26 or constitute an extension of such ledge or lip. The preciselocation of the pivot axis of pins 23 and 23' (with respect to top andbottom of a rack 20) may be varied. The rack and holding means 30 may bemolded from plastic composition as a unitary element.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

We claim:

1. A device for displaying a plurality of elongated articles insubstantially uncovered condition and for placing the articles sodisplayed selectively in removable and non-removable condition from suchdisplay device, comprising: a supporting frame including an upper,horizontally extending stop member; a plurality of longitudinallyextending racks pivotally mounted about parallel horizontal axes on saidframe in parallel, vertically spaced relation; each of said racks beingopen-faced and having a back panel provided with a lower forwardlyextending foot portion and an opposing upper unobstructed edge portion,and means for receiving and holding a plurality of elongated articles invertically parallel, side-by-side relation in front of said back panel;the upper unobstructed longitudinal edge portion of the lower of saidracks being in proximity to the foot portion of an upper rack when saidracks are in display position, whereby the withdrawal of an article fromsaid lower rack is obstructed by the foot portion of an upper rack, andselectively operable means for pivotally moving said racks on saidsupporting frame to a discharge position whereby an article may bewithdrawn fiom a lower rack without obstruction by the foot portion ofan upper rack.

2. A device as stated in claim 1 wherein said receiving and holdingmeans comprise a substantially transparent member provided with anarticle-receiving passageway, marginal portions of said membersurrounding the upper end of-said passageway being inclined and adaptedto guidingly contact a portion of an article in said passageway andorient the article with respect to the back panel.

3. A device as stated in claim 1 wherein the selectively operable meansmove said racks between a display position and a discharge position andare adapted to lock said racks in said positions selectively.

4. A device as stated in claim 1 wherein the selectively operable meansmove said racks between a display position and a discharge position andcomprise an actuating rod movably mounted on said supporting frame, andlever means carried by said rod and cooperating with said racks totranslate movement of the rod into pivotal movement of said racks.

5. A device for displaying a plurality of elongated articles insubstantially uncovered condition and for placing the articles sodisplayed selectively in removable and non-removable condition from suchdisplay device, comprising: a supporting frame including an upper,horizontally extending stop member; a plurality of longitudinallyextending, horizontal racks pivotally mounted on said frame in parallel,vertically spaced relation; each of said racks being open-faced andhaving a back panel provided with a lower, forwardly-extending footportion and an opposing upper, unobstructed edge portion, and means forreceiving and holding a plurality of elongated articles in verticallyparallel, side-by-side relation in front of said back panel, said lattermeans including a memberhaving a vertical article-receiving passageway,marginal portions of said member surrounding the upper end of saidpassageway being inclined and adapted to guidingly contact a portion ofan article in said passageway and selforient the article with respect tosaid back panel; the upper unobstructed longitudinal edge portion of thelower of said racks being in proximity to the foot portion of an upperrack when said racks are in a display position, the upper unobstructedlongitudinal edge portion of the upper of said racks being in proximityto said stop member when said racks are in the display position, wherebythe withdrawal of articles from said lower rack is obstructed by thefoot portion of an upper rack and from said upper rack is obstructed bysaid stop member, and selectively operable means for pivotally movingsaid racks on said supporting frame to a discharge position wherebyarticles may be withdrawn from a lower rack and said upper rack withoutobstruction by said foot portions and stop member.

6. A device for displaying writing instruments, each provided with aclip, in a side-by-side, readily visible substantially uncoveredcondition in which both ends of such writing instruments are visible andthe instruments may be fingered and moved by a customer but arerestrained from unauthorized removal from the display device, com-.

prising: a supporting frame; a substantially horizontal member carriedby the frame, said member being provided with a plurality ofhorizontally spaced vertical passageways, each adapted to freelyreceive, support and substantially encircle a section of the lowerportion of a writing instrument; a horizontally extending stop elementin spaced relation to and above said member and writing instrumentssupported in the passageways thereof to permit limited upward axialmovement of writing instruments encircled and retained by said memberbut preventing withdrawal of such instruments therefrom; and selectivelyoperable means to change the relative positions of said member and stopelement to permit withdrawal of a writing instrument from the member byaxial movement of a writing instrument.

7. A device as stated in claim 6 wherein said horizontal member istransparent and is mounted for movement about a horizontal axis, wherebysaid member and writing instruments supported thereby may be moved aboutsuch horizontal axis by the selectively operable means to a position topermit removal of a writing instrument from such member.

8. A device as stated in claim 6 wherein said horizontal member ismounted for movement about a horizontal axis and said selectivelyoperable means comprise an actuating rod journalled in the supportingframe and lever means carried by the rod and cooperating with saidmember to translate partial rotation of said rod into movement of saidhorizontal member.

9. In a device for displaying elongated articles in a side-by-sidesubstantially uncovered condition wherein both ends of the articles arevisible said articles being uniformly oriented about their respectivelongitudinal axes, each of said articles having a laterally projectingpart in the upper portion of its length, the provision of: asubstantially horizontal member provided with a plurality of spacedvertical passageways, each adapted to freely receive and substantiallyencircle a section of the lower portion of an elongated article, wherebysaid article may be grasped, rotated and moved axially while stillencircled by said member; a marginal portion of said member adjacent theupper end of each passageway including downwardly inclined andconverging surfaces adapted to guidingly contact a laterally extendingpart of an article placed into a passageway to gravitationallyselforient the article displayed in such member.

10. A device for displaying writing instruments, each provided with aclip, in a side-by-side readily visible substantially uncoveredcondition in which such writing instruments may be fingered and moved bya customer but are prevented from unauthorized removal from the displaydevice, comprising: a supporting frame; a substantially horizontalmember carried by the frame, said memher being provided with a pluralityof horizontally spaced, vertical passageways, each adapted to freelyreceive and substantially encircle a section of the lower portion of awriting instrument, a marginal portion of said member adjacent the upperend of each passageway including downwardly inclined and convergingsurfaces adapted to guidingly contact the end of a clip of a writinginstrument placed into such passageway to gravitationally selforient thewriting instrument about its axis; a horizontally extending stop elementabove said member; and selectively operable means for selectivelychanging the relative positions of said member and stop element from aposition wherein writing instruments held by said member are restrainedby said stop' element from withdrawal from passageways in such member toa position where writing instruments may be withdrawn by axial movementfrom such member.

11. A device for displaying writing instruments, each provided with aclip, in a side-by-side, readily visible substantially uncoveredcondition in which both ends of such writing instruments are visible andthe instruments may be fingered and moved by a customer but arerestrained from unauthorized removal from the display device,comprising: a supporting frame; a pluralityof horizontally extending,vertically spaced, parallel racks mounted on said frame, each of saidracks including a horizontal member, mounted for movement about ahorizontal axis; each of said horizontal members being provided with aplurality of horizontally spaced vertical passageways, each adapted tofreely receive, support and substantially encircle. a section of thelower portion of a writing instrument; each of said racks including alower, forwardly extending foot portion in spaced relation to and abovea horizontal instrument-receiving member of a lower rack to permitlimited upward axial movement of instruments in such member of a lowerrack while obstructing and preventing withdrawal of instrumentstherefrom; and selectively operable means to move said horizontalmembers about their respective axes into a position wherein writinginstruments may be axially withdrawn from said members withoutobstruction by the foot of an upper member.

12. A device as stated in claim 11 wherein a marginal portion of each ofsaid members adjacent the upper end of each passageway includesdownwardly inclined converging surfaces adapted to guidingly contact theend of a clip of a writing instrument placed into such passageway togravitationally orient the writing instrument about its axis.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,334,839 Purchas Nov. 23, 1943 2,505,510 Vermillion Apr. 25, 19502,916,156 Larson Dec. 8, 1959

